He said: “The Government has refocused absolutely on no-deal planning but it is really important that your listeners realise that that is not our preferred route.

“Of course, our new Prime Minister Boris Johnson was in Germany and Paris this week and I thought we started to see a crack or a chink of light with Europe softening its stance.”

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Mr Berry said it is not in the EU’s interests for the UK to leave without a deal.

He said: “I’m not sure, actually, that they are luring Britain into a trap.

“It is good for the Europe for Britain to have a deal when we leave the European Union on October 31 and it is good for Britain.

“And that is why this Government is absolutely refocusing, tooling up Government departments to prepare for no-deal, because that is the right thing for Britain.”

Mr Berry went on to say the Government’s “no ifs, no buts” approach is ending uncertainty over Brexit.

He denied a no-deal Brexit would “cut the legs” from under the Northern Powerhouse.

Mr Berry said: “I think Brexit will be good for the Northern Powerhouse because it will enable us to trade on free-trade terms with countries around the globe. It is not about turning our back to Europe.”